The day was supposed to be about homage being paid to a legend, with his old club harnessing the sentiment to relaunch their season.

West Brom certainly fought in a manner which would have had the much-missed Cyrille Regis nodding his approval and the point they secured at Goodison Park indicates their chances of beating relegation are favourable. Only the width of a crossbar prevented them winning.

Sadly, however, this game was overshadowed by a sickening moment in the 61st minute which saw Everton midfielder James McCarthy carried off with a compound double fracture of his tibia and fibula. He spent last night in hospital, awaiting an operation.

Oumar Niasse came off the bench to level up for Everton, making an instant impact after coming on for Cenk Tosun

The striker fired in from a tight angle and did his starting credentials no harm whatsoever for the Toffees

Niasse crept in at the back post and volley in after Theo Walcott headed back across goal from a cross

Jay Rodriguez opened the scoring for West Brom with a simple goal. For more from our brilliant Matchzone click here

The injury was sustained in an accidental collision with Salomon Rondon, the striker who wore Regis' old No 9 shirt and played with such power and gusto that his manager Alan Pardew labelled his performance 'outstanding'.

McCarthy had scurried to save his team but Rondon unwittingly kicked the back of his opponent's leg as he shaped to shoot. As soon as the Republic of Ireland international landed on the floor, frantically grabbing on to his shin, it was evident he was seriously hurt.

Rondon was horrified, burying his head in his shirt. His team-mates gathered around him as he sobbed, as did Pardew during what turned out to be a seven-minute delay.

Everyone knew there and then that McCarthy's season was over. 'We will do the operation as quick as we can,' said Sam Allardyce. 'It is an awful injury and it only came from his really brave efforts to stop West Brom scoring. He has paid a really heavy price for his commitment. It is a big blow for him and us.'

The only solace he could take was substitute Oumar Niasse cancelling out Jay Rodriguez's early opener. Everton's display was as dismal as the weather and they were booed off at half-time and full-time.

'I had no problem with the booing,' said Allardyce. 'We deserved to be booed. The players should be listening to that, as I will. They need to take more responsibility. The performance was a big blow. The fans must have wondered what they were seeing at times.'

The Toffees ran back towards half-way and were encouraged to push forward in search of a winning goal

James McCarthy suffered a horrendous injury in the second half as Salomon Rondon inadvertently caught him

The striker was inconsolable after but the challenge was no fault of his own and he was not booked

McCarthy was stretchered off the pitch and both sets of fans rose to applaud the midfielder as he was carried away

Jay Rodriguez broke the deadlock as he handed West Brom an early lead over Everton at Goodison Park

The striker slotted neatly past Jordan Pickford after some poor defending allowing him plenty of time

Rodriguez sent the away fans wild and the Goodison faithful were silenced shortly after kick off

Baggies supporters roared on their man as he performed a knee slide celebration after scoring

What they saw was Everton labour and West Brom dig in from the first whistle. The Baggies have not won on their travels since August 19 but there was much about which Pardew could be positive.

Rodriguez missed a glorious opportunity after six minutes but, in the next attack, he swiftly atoned. Grzegorz Krychowiak's pass dissected Everton's defence and Rodriguez held his nerve, calmly rolling his shot beyond the exposed Jordan Pickford. 'I think an Under-11 side would have scored against us,' was Allardyce's cutting verdict.

There were opportunities to make it two. Most of them fell to Rondon but one header late in the first half sailed over the bar from Chris Brunt's corner, while a howitzer of a drive that evoked thoughts of Regis smacked against the woodwork in injury time. 'He (Rondon) was distraught,' Pardew explained.

'As tough as he is, he's really just a big old softie. I have been on the pitch when something like that happens and it does affect you.'

Everton improved in the second half and persistence led them to equalise, Niasse bundling in a header from debutant Theo Walcott after Wayne Rooney, who had just been introduced, provided a fine ball to the back post. But it was a difficult day at Goodison.

Cenk Tosun leaps to compete for a header with experienced midfielder Gareth Barry in midfield

Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew shared a conversation as the two managers chatted in their technical areas

James McCarthy hooks the ball away under pressure from two Southampton players during the first half

Rodriguez takes a tumble as the Everton collect the ball and manage to clear away from danger temporarily

Mason Holgate connects with a powerful clearance as Rodriguez takes evasive action from the ball

The travelling West Brom supporters paid tribute to Cyrille Regis with a banner in the away end

Rooney applauded the home supporters after his side earned a point in a hard-fought game against the Baggies